Amid an atmosphere charged with anticipation and anxiety within the corridors of St. James' Park, English coach Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, came out to defend his position and his sporting project, confirming on Monday that he still has the passion and ability to be the right person to lift the team out of its current predicament, while stressing at the same time that he would not hesitate to leave if he felt unable to achieve the desired goals.

The team, owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, is experiencing one of its most difficult periods, having suffered its third consecutive defeat in the English Premier League. The latest loss was a 2-3 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, preceded by heavy losses to Liverpool (1-4) and Manchester City (1-3). The statistics reflect the extent of the struggles, as the team has only managed one victory in its last eight matches across all competitions, placing the manager under intense scrutiny.

In a press conference ahead of the anticipated and difficult match against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday in the twenty-sixth round of competition, Howe said: "I don't think the performance was as bad as the results suggest. Statistically, we are still a strong team and we deliver competitive performances in every match, but the results certainly did not reflect that effort, especially given that the schedule of matches was very difficult.".

A history of achievements speaks in the coach's favor

To understand the context of Howe's tenure, we must go back a little, specifically to November 2021, when he took over shortly after the Saudi fund's acquisition of the club. At that time, the Magpies were battling relegation, but Howe managed to turn things around, leading the team not only to survival but also to a return to the Champions League. He capped his tenure by winning the League Cup in 2025, the first domestic title for the club in seventy years, earning him considerable favor with both the fans and the management.

Despite Newcastle currently sitting in 12th place with 33 points, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, 48-year-old Howe insists that his "inner spark" is still burning. He explained: "That feeling isn't something I assess daily; it's an inner conviction. As long as that feeling remains, I'll give it my all. If I didn't believe I was the right person, I would have stepped aside and let someone else take over.".

Squad challenges and the transfer market

The decline in results cannot be separated from the complex circumstances the team has recently faced. The club endured a turbulent summer marked by the departure of Swedish striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool following his strike, which created a significant attacking void. Despite the club's acquisition of new strikers such as Congolese forward Yoane Wissa and German forward Nick Wolltemade, they still need time to adapt to the Premier League.

The crisis is compounded by a spate of injuries that have struck key players, most recently the trio of Brazilian midfielders, captain Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, and English striker Anthony Gordon. Despite these significant absences, Howe believes the situation can be "turned around very quickly" if the team regains its balance and confidence in upcoming matches.

In a tactical move reflecting a desire to bolster attacking and strategic options, Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, has called up Iraqi talent Haider Abdulkarim to join the squad traveling to face Turkmenistan's Arkadağ FC. This decision comes as part of Al-Nassr's intensive preparations for the first leg of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie, a competition the club is prioritizing this season.

The inclusion of Haider Abdulkarim reflects the confidence of the coaching staff, led by Jesus, in the young player's abilities and his capacity to make a significant contribution in a match demanding high physical and mental effort, especially given that it is an away game. By adding Abdulkarim, Jesus aims to broaden his options on the bench, anticipating any scenarios that might arise during the match against a relatively unpredictable opponent on their home ground and in front of their fans.

The importance of the match and the continental context

This match is of paramount importance to Al-Nassr, as the team seeks to secure an early victory or at least a comfortable positive result in Turkmenistan to ease the return leg in Riyadh. Al-Nassr's participation in the "AFC Champions League 2" is part of the Asian Football Confederation's new strategy aimed at raising the level of competition among the continent's clubs. This tournament serves as an important platform for Saudi clubs to reaffirm their continental dominance and add to their collection of international titles.

Challenges of facing Arkadag

Despite the technical advantages that theoretically favor Al-Nassr, facing Central Asian clubs, particularly Turkmenistani teams like Arkadağ, always presents a unique challenge. These teams are characterized by their tactical discipline and high level of physicality, in addition to the weather and pitch conditions that play a significant role in such knockout rounds. Therefore, Jesus' decision to bolster the squad with young and dynamic players like Haider Abdulkarim is a realistic assessment of the match's demands, which may require individual brilliance and pace in the second half.

Victory ambitions in the tournament

Al-Nassr enters this continental competition with its sights set on the title, bolstered by a star-studded squad and an experienced coaching staff. Al-Nassr fans consider overcoming Arkadag the first real step towards the advanced stages. It is expected that Jesus will rely on a balanced tactical approach that ensures no away goals are conceded while capitalizing on attacking opportunities. This explains why he has brought all his key players and rising talents to guarantee full readiness for this important continental challenge.

In a scene reflecting the deep connection between the stands and the pitch, Al-Ittihad fans flocked in large numbers to the first team's training ground, creating a vibrant display of support for the players and coaching staff. This massive turnout comes in preparation for the crucial and highly anticipated match against Qatari club Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League, a tournament of paramount importance to the club's management and fans as they strive to reclaim continental glory.

The fans of Al-Ittihad transformed the club's headquarters into a scene of fervent enthusiasm, lighting flares and fireworks and chanting the famous, passionate songs for which the Al-Ittihad supporters' group is known. This extraordinary support was not merely a celebration, but a clear message of motivation aimed at boosting the players' morale and lifting them out of the psychological impact of their recent defeat against their arch-rivals, Al-Nassr, in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League.

This show of support from the fans is particularly significant given its timing; the team is at a crucial juncture in its season. Following their domestic setback in the derby, attention now turns to the Asian Champions League, where the "Tigers" are striving to appease their supporters by facing Qatari side Al-Gharafa. Al-Ittihad fans understand that the AFC Champions League, with its new format, demands intense mental focus and a fighting spirit, especially considering the high level of organization and technical skill possessed by Qatari clubs. This makes the match a true challenge, one where there is no room for error in Al-Ittihad's ambitions.

Historically, Al-Ittihad's fans have always been the team's number one player and the driving force behind its return to glory, even in the most difficult circumstances. This unwavering support brings to mind past scenarios where Al-Ittihad successfully overcame domestic setbacks to achieve resounding continental successes, relying on a fan base that knows no despair and believes in its team's ability to bounce back quickly. The overwhelming attendance at training sessions sends reassuring signals to the coaching staff that confidence remains, and that the yellow stands are waiting for a strong response on the pitch.

In the regional context, the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa match is being closely watched, given the strength of both teams and their history in Asian championships. This positive momentum is expected to translate into a strong performance from the players in the upcoming match, as everyone hopes to see a team that plays with a high level of fighting spirit, compensating for their domestic league setback and reaffirming Al-Ittihad's worthiness to compete for the top spot in Asia.